JP2007230735A - Sheet handling device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of times of supplement of staples by a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: This sheet handling device binds a sheet bundle placed on a sheet positioning member 23 at multiple positions. The sheet handling device comprises a plurality of staplers 111a, 111b fixedly disposed correspondingly to the multiple positions and binding the sheet bundle with staples. The sheet handling device further comprises a CPU for continuously performing binding operation by the stapler having staples even if staples are absent in at least one of the staplers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that binds a sheet bundle, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet processing apparatus in an apparatus main body.

  Conventionally, an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet may include a sheet processing apparatus or may be equipped as a purchase option (so-called option). Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a complex machine of these. The sheet processing apparatus receives sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus and performs at least one process such as alignment, sorting, stacking, folding, envelope filling, binding processing, bookbinding, punching, inspection, and processing. It is like that.

  Some conventional sheet processing apparatuses include a stapler that is a plurality of binding means for binding a sheet bundle at one place or two places (see Patent Document 1). For example, when performing binding at a plurality of places, the sheet processing apparatus retracts a stapler having a small remaining amount of binding needles from a plurality of staplers from a binding position to a retreat area, and binds the plurality of places with a stapler having a large remaining amount. It is supposed to be. For this reason, the conventional sheet processing apparatus can efficiently perform the binding process by reducing the chance of replenishing the binding needle by replacing the staple cartridge during the sheet processing.

JP 2003-71808 A

  However, the conventional sheet processing apparatus requires a retreat area for retreating a stapler with a small remaining amount of staples, and is large and expensive.

  Further, since the conventional sheet processing apparatus is configured to bind a plurality of locations of the sheet bundle, it requires a number of binding needles corresponding to the locations to be bound. For this reason, when the conventional sheet processing apparatus continuously binds the sheet bundle of the same job, the binding needle is lost in the middle of the same job, and the user has to supply the binding needle. Therefore, the conventional sheet processing apparatus has poor binding operation efficiency.

  Further, an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet processing apparatus with poor binding operation efficiency in the apparatus main body often interrupts the image forming operation, and the image forming efficiency is poor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus that has a simple structure and reduces the number of times of staple needle replenishment.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that is provided with a sheet processing apparatus in which the number of times of staple needle replenishment is reduced in the apparatus main body, and that improves the image forming efficiency by reducing the chance of interrupting the image forming operation.

  The sheet processing apparatus of the present invention is configured to bind a plurality of locations of the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking unit, and is fixedly disposed corresponding to the plurality of locations, and binds the sheet bundle with a binding needle. Binding means, and control means for continuing the binding operation by the binding means in which the binding needle exists even if the binding needle of at least one binding means out of the plurality of binding means is eliminated.

  In the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, since the binding means is fixedly arranged, the structure can be simplified.

  In the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, when continuously binding a sheet bundle of the same job, even if at least one binding means out of a plurality of fixedly arranged binding means is lost, the binding with a binding needle is provided. The means can bind only the portion of the sheet bundle corresponding to the binding means. For this reason, the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention can bind a larger number of sheet bundles than before, can reduce the number of times of binding needle replenishment, and can improve the binding operation efficiency.

  Since the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a sheet processing apparatus in which the number of times of replenishment of the binding needle is reduced in the apparatus main body, the opportunity to interrupt the image forming operation is reduced, and the image forming efficiency can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment and an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus in the apparatus main body will be described with reference to the drawings. The sheet processing apparatus is installed as a purchase option (so-called option) in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, but may be built in the apparatus main body.

  Note that the shape, relative arrangement relationship, numerical values, and the like of the components described in the embodiments do not limit the present invention.

(Image forming device)
FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the sheet conveying direction of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a complex machine of these, and the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the copying machine.

  The apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 includes a platen glass 906 as a document placement table, a light source 907, a lens system 908, a sheet supply unit 909, an image forming unit 902, and the like.

  The sheet supply unit 909 stores cassettes for recording and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 10, a deck 913 disposed on the pedestal 912, a pickup roller (not illustrated) that feeds the sheet to the image forming unit 902, and the like. have. The image forming unit 902 includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 914, a developing unit 915, a transfer charger 916, a cleaner 918, a primary charger 919, and the like disposed around the drum. On the downstream side of the image forming unit 902, a conveying device 920, a fixing device 904, a pair of discharge rollers 1a and 1b, and the like are disposed.

  When a sheet supply signal is output from the control device 930 provided in the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1, the sheet P is supplied from the cassettes 910 and 911 or the deck 913. On the other hand, the light reflected from the light source 907 on the document D placed on the platen glass 906 is applied to the photosensitive drum 914 through the lens system 908. The photosensitive drum 914 is charged in advance by a primary charger 919. When light is irradiated, an electrostatic latent image is formed, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 915 to form a toner image. The

  The sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 909 is skew-corrected by the registration roller pair 901, further aligned with the toner image, and fed to the image forming unit 902. In the image forming unit 902, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 914 is transferred to the sheet P that has been sent by the transfer charger 916. The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is charged to a polarity opposite to that of the transfer charger 916 by the separation charger 917 and separated from the photosensitive drum 914.

  The separated sheet P is conveyed to the fixing device 904 by the conveying device 920, and the transferred image is permanently fixed by the fixing device 904. The sheet S on which the image is fixed is discharged from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 by the discharge roller pair 1a and 1b. In this way, the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 909 forms an image and is discharged.

(Sheet processing equipment)
The sheet processing apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 receives a sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 by the discharge roller pair 1a and 1b and performs a binding process. Note that the sheet processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment has two staplers, but may have three or more.

  The entrance flapper 3 selects either the bookbinding mode or the stack mode according to the rotation thereof. The inlet solenoid 3d is a drive source that rotates the inlet flapper 3. The paper discharge guide 4 guides sheets in the stack mode. The stacker discharge roller 5 and the stacker discharge roller 6 are provided on the downstream side of the paper discharge guide 4 in a state where they are arranged vertically. The stacker tray 7 is configured to stack sheets discharged from the stacker discharge port roller 5 and the stacker discharge rollers 6.

  The guides 11 and 12 are guides for guiding the sheet in the stack mode downward. The transport roller 13 is disposed at the exit of the guides 11 and 12, and the transport roller 14 is in press contact with the opposing surface. The conveyance roller 13 and the conveyance roller 14 form a sheet introduction unit that conveys the sheet to, for example, a sheet positioning member 23 that is a sheet stacking unit described later. Switching solenoids 15d and 16d are engaged with the upper and lower switching flappers 15 and 16, respectively. The upper and lower switching flappers 15 and 16 take two positions, a broken line and a solid line shown in the figure, by being turned ON / OFF by an electrical signal. The half-moon rollers 17a and 22a are urged by elastic members 17d and 22d arranged to face each other. For example, the front and back staplers 111a and 111b, which are binding means, incorporate a plate-shaped binding needle and a driving motor therein. Further, for example, front and rear stapler needle absence sensors 212 and 215 which are remaining needle detection means for detecting the remaining needle are also incorporated. Further, the front and back staplers 111a and 111b can swing around the rotation shaft 18a. The anvil 19 has a function of guiding the front ends of the binding needles of the front and rear staplers 111a and 111b and crushing the end portions of the binding needles into glasses. The guides 20 and 21 are arranged on the front side and on the downstream side of the back staplers 111a and 111b. The sheet positioning member 23 is for receiving the leading edge of the sheet that has entered between the guides 20 and 21 and temporarily placing and storing the sheet.

  The sheet positioning member 23 is configured to be movable between the guides 20 and 21 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The sheet positioning member 23 is a positioning member used when the sheet bundle is bound by the front and back staplers 111a and 111b and when the sheet bundle is folded by the ejecting unit 25.

  In addition, a sheet leading edge detection sensor 33 that detects the leading edge of the sheet is disposed above the sheet positioning member 23. The width adjusting members 24a and 24b are members that press the sheet from both sides in the width direction to align the sheets in width.

  The protrusion unit 25 is retracted to the lower surface (outside) from the guides 12 and 21 before folding the sheet bundle. The folding roller pairs 26 and 27 are pressed in a direction approaching each other and convey the sheet bundle at a predetermined rotational speed. The sheet discharge guide 28 is a guide member that guides the sheet bundle discharged from the pair of folding rollers 26 and 27 between the nip between the discharge roller 30 and the discharge roller 31. The paper discharge sensor 29 is a sensor that detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet bundle. The discharge tray 32 is a tray on which sheet bundles are stacked.

[Inlet flapper drive mechanism]
The inlet flapper 3 is installed so as to be swingable about the central axis 3a. As shown in FIG. 2, the link 3b is attached to one end of the central shaft 3a and is urged clockwise by a spring 3c. The inlet solenoid 3d is engaged with one end of the link 3b. When the inlet solenoid 3d is turned ON, the iron core is sucked, and the flapper 3 is lifted upward, and is switched to the bookbinding mode at the position indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. When the inlet solenoid 3d is OFF, the stack mode is set at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, and the sheet is carried into the paper discharge guide 4.

[Conveyance roller, half-moon roller drive mechanism]
The transport roller 13 has a transport pulley 13b mounted on its shaft 13a. The half-moon rollers 17a and 22a have half-moon roller pulleys 17c and 22c attached to shafts 17b and 22b.

  The transport motor 51 has a transport motor pulley 52 mounted on its output shaft. A timing belt 53 is wound around the outer periphery of each of the transport motor pulley 52, the transport pulley 13b, and the half-moon roller pulley 17c. When the transport motor 51 rotates, the rotation is transmitted from the transport motor pulley 52 to the timing belt 53. The conveyance pulley 13b and the half-moon roller pulley 17c are rotated by the rotation of the timing belt 53, whereby the conveyance roller 13 is rotated. Further, when the half-moon roller 22c rotates via the timing belt 54, the half-moon rollers 17a and 22a rotate.

[Switching flapper drive mechanism]
Flapping links 15b and 16b are mounted on the rotation shafts 15a and 16a of the upper and lower switching flappers 15 and 16, respectively. One end of each of the flapper links 15b and 16b is engaged with the upper and lower switching solenoids 15d and 16d. Further, springs 15c and 16c are engaged with the other ends of the flapper links 15b and 16b. The upper and lower switching flappers 15 and 16 are held at the positions shown in FIG. 2 by the urging force of the springs 15c and 16c. When the upper and lower switching solenoids 15d and 16d are excited, the respective iron cores are attracted, and the upper and lower switching flappers 15 and 16 are held at the positions indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG.

[Width alignment mechanism]
The width adjusting mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

  The width adjusting members 24a and 24b are arranged at the front and rear, have wall surfaces that are horizontal to the sheet conveying direction and are perpendicular to both sides of the sheet, and a rack is formed at the center. The rack includes a pinion gear 24c. Is engaged. The width adjusting motor 24d is a stepping motor, and a pinion gear 24c is mounted on its output shaft.

  The width-alignment home position sensor 24e is configured by a photo interrupter. The width adjusting home position sensor 24e is a flag formed on a part of the width adjusting member 24b when the width adjusting members 24a and 24b are retracted about 5 mm to 10 mm outside the maximum sheet width that can be aligned. 24f (see FIG. 1) is disposed at a position where it can be detected.

[Sheet positioning drive mechanism]
The sheet positioning drive mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The sheet positioning member 23 functions as a stopper that receives the leading edge of the sheet that has entered between the guides 20 and 21. A plurality of rollers 23a are rotatably mounted on both ends of the sheet positioning member 23, and the sheet positioning member 23 moves up and down a groove (not shown) formed in the frame 8. Further, racks 23e shown in FIG. 1 are formed at both ends of the sheet positioning member 23, and the racks are engaged with the two left and right pinion gears 23b. The two left and right pinion gears 23b are connected at the center by a shaft 23c. A stopper gear 23d is attached to one end of the shaft 23c. The sheet positioning motor 61 is a stepping motor, and a gear 62 is attached to its output shaft. The gear 62 is engaged with the stopper gear 23d. Therefore, when the seat positioning motor 61 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the two left and right pinion gears 23b via the gear 62, the stopper gear 23d, and the shaft 23c, and the two left and right pinion gears 23b rotate. As a result, the rack 23e meshed with the two left and right pinion gears 23b moves up and down. Since the rack 23e is formed on the sheet positioning member 23, the sheet positioning member 23 moves up and down as the rack 23e moves up and down.

  The sheet positioning member 23 has a flag 23f shown in FIG. The flag 23f is detected by the sheet positioning HP sensor 63 when the sheet positioning member 23 reaches the home position. The sheet leading edge detection sensor 33 detects that the sheet has reached the leading edge of the sheet positioning member 23.

[Stapler drive mechanism]
The stapler drive mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The front and back staplers 111 a and 111 b are fixed to a support plate 99 fixed to the frame 8. The front and back staplers 111a and 111b are fixedly disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to the center of the sheet bundle whose width is aligned by the width adjusting members 24a and 24b, and the front and back stapler motors 210 and 213 are rotated. Thus, a clinching operation (needle driving operation) is performed.

[Roller guide drive mechanism]
A roller guide driving mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The roller guide 201 is a member that prevents the sheet from being carried into the conveyance path on the side of the pair of folding rollers 26 and 27 of the sheet that has entered between the guides 20 and 21. The roller guide 201 is formed with a plurality of long holes 201 a for avoiding interference with the half-moon roller 22 a and the sheet positioning member 23. Further, a flag 201b is formed on a part of the roller guide 201. The flag 201b is detected by the roller guide HP sensor 207 shown in FIG. 1 when the roller guide 201 reaches the home position.

  Further, the roller guide 201 is formed with a pair of racks 208 on both sides, and the pair of racks 208 meshes with the two left and right pinion gears 202b. The two pinion gears 202b are attached to both ends of the shaft 203c. A roller guide gear 204d is attached to one end of the shaft 203c. The roller guide motor 205 is a stepping motor. The gear 206 is attached to the output shaft of the roller guide motor 205 and meshes with the roller guide gear 204d.

[Folding drive mechanism]
Details of the folding drive mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The folding motor 64 has a pulley 65 attached to its output shaft. The idler gear pulley 67 is provided with two rows of pulleys and gears on the same axis. Among them, the timing belt 66 is wound between the pulleys in one row and the pulley 65. The folding gears 68 and 69 are attached to the folding roller pairs 26 and 27 and mesh with each other. The folding gear 69 meshes with the gear portion of the idler gear pulley 67.

  Since the protruding plate 25a moves into the nip between the pair of folding rollers 26 and 27 and enters, a stainless steel material having a thickness of about 0.5 mm is used. The protruding plate 25a is held by holders 25b and 25d. The holder 25b is attached to the shafts 25c and 25e. A roller (not shown) is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery, and the roller slides in a groove 8a formed in the frame 8.

  The gear 73 has a shaft 72 on one side surface and meshes with an idler gear 75. The idler gear 75 is attached to the shaft 76. The shaft 76 is provided with a folding clutch 74a made of an electromagnetic clutch, and the rotation of the pulley 74 is transmitted to the shaft 76 by ON / OFF of the folding clutch 74a.

  A timing belt 70 is wound around the outer periphery of the pulley 74, and the other side of the timing belt 70 is wound around an idler gear pulley 67.

  The idler gear 75 fixed to the shaft 76 meshes with the gear 73 fixed to the shaft 73a, and a flag (not shown) is fixed on the shaft 73a, and a notch is partially cut out. Have.

  The protruding plate home position sensor 82 is disposed at a position where the flag notch is detected, and is disposed so that the protruding plate 25a detects the position where the protruding plate 25a is depressed most from the conveying surface of the guides 12 and 21.

  The rotation of the folding motor 64 is transmitted from the pulley 65 to the idler gear pulley 67 via the timing belt 66. The rotation of the idler gear pulley 67 is transmitted from the folding gear 69 to the folding gear 68, and the folding roller pairs 27 and 26 are driven. On the other hand, the rotation of the idler gear pulley 67 is transmitted to the pulley 74 on the folding clutch 74 a via the timing belt 70.

  When the folding clutch 74a is turned on / off, the rotation of the pulley 74 is transmitted to the shaft 76, the idler gear 75 rotates, the gear 73 rotates by this rotation, and the shaft 72 moves circularly around the shaft 73a.

  The link 71 having one end fitted to the shaft 72 has the other end fitted to the shaft 25c. The shaft 25c is mounted on the protruding unit 25, and further, a roller is inserted into the groove portion 8a of the frame 8 together with the shaft 25e, so that linear movement along the groove portion 8a is possible. By this linear motion, the ejection plate 25a provided in the ejection unit 25 is configured to reciprocate linearly between the ejection position and the retracted position.

[Stacker ejector drive mechanism]
A drive mechanism of the stacker discharge roller 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  A shaft 5a of the stacker discharge porter 5 is provided on the upper portion of the sheet processing apparatus 2, and a pulley 98 is fixed on the shaft 5a. A pulley 96 is fixed on the output shaft of the stack discharge motor 95.

  A timing belt 97 is wound around the pulley 96 and the pulley 98. The rotation of the stack discharge motor 95 is transmitted from the pulley 96 to the pulley 98 via the timing belt 97 and further transmitted to the stack discharge roller 5 via the shaft 5a.

[Folded sheet bundle discharge mechanism drive mechanism]
2, a shaft 30a of the discharge roller 30 shown in FIG. 1 is provided at the lower portion of the sheet processing apparatus 2, and a pulley 30b is fixed on the shaft 30a. A pulley 92 is fixed on the output shaft of the sheet bundle discharge motor 91.

  A timing belt 93 is wound around the pulley 92 and the pulley 30b. The rotation of the sheet bundle discharge motor 91 is transmitted from the pulley 92 to the pulley 30b via the timing belt 93, and further transmitted to the discharge roller 30 via the shaft 30a.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram related to the control of the sheet processing apparatus.

  For example, the CPU 150 which is a control unit is connected to the image forming control unit 231 of the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 by the communication unit 231a. The image formation control unit 231 is provided in the control device 930 shown in FIG. One of the CPU 150 and the control device 930 may be incorporated in the other.

  The CPU 150 is connected to a read only memory (ROM) 152 that stores in advance control procedures executed by the CPU 150. Also connected to the CPU 150 is a random access memory (RAM) 153 that stores various data such as operation data of the CPU 150 and control data received from the copying machine 1.

  The following sensors are connected to the input side of the CPU 150.

  A front stapler motor HP sensor 211 that detects a standby position of the front stapler 111a. For example, a front stapler needle absence sensor 212 is a remaining needle detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a needle in the front stapler 111a. A back stapler motor HP sensor 214 that detects the needle strike standby position of the back stapler 111b. A back stapler needle absence sensor 215, which is a remaining needle detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a needle in the back stapler 111b. A conveyance path sensor 83 that detects that a sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 has entered the sheet processing apparatus 2. A sheet leading edge detection sensor 33 that informs the CPU 150 that the sheet has arrived at a predetermined position of the sheet processing apparatus 2. A paper discharge path sensor 29 that detects that the sheet has been discharged to the discharge tray 32. A folding roller CLK sensor 216 for prompting the CPU 150 to control the speed of the pair of folding rollers 26 and 27. A roller guide motor for detecting the home position of the roller guide 201. P sensor 207. A sheet positioning motor for detecting the home position of the sheet positioning member 23; P sensor 63. An alignment motor that detects the home position of the alignment plate that aligns the sheets. P sensor 24e. A protruding plate home position sensor 82 for detecting the position of the protruding plate 25a. A half-moon roller sensor 217 that detects the rotational positions of the half-moon rollers 17a and 22a. A tray limit sensor 218 that detects an overload of the tray. A jam door switch 219 that detects opening / closing of a jam processing door. A needle replenishing door switch 220 that detects opening and closing of the door for binding needle replacement replenishment processing or the like.

  The next motor, clutch, and solenoid are connected to the output side of the CPU 150 via the drivers D1 to D11.

  A conveyance motor 51 that conveys a copy sheet in the sheet processing apparatus. A roller guide motor 205 that moves a roller guide plate for guiding the copy sheet in the sheet processing apparatus from the pair of folding rollers. A sheet positioning motor 61 that holds a sheet in the sheet processing apparatus at a specified position. A width adjusting motor 24d for aligning copy sheets in the sheet processing apparatus. A folding motor 64 for holding the sheet bundle in the sheet processing apparatus. A protruding plate clutch 74a for operating the protruding plate 25a. An upper switching solenoid 15d that operates an upper flapper 15 that switches a conveyance path in the sheet processing apparatus. A lower switching solenoid 16d that operates a lower switching flapper 16 that switches a conveyance path in the sheet processing apparatus. A front stapler motor 210 that drives a front stapler 111a that binds the sheet bundle. A back stapler motor 213 that drives the back stapler 111b that binds the sheet bundle. An inlet solenoid 3d for driving the flapper 3.

[Bookbinding operation]
The sheet bookbinding operation will be described based on the configuration diagram of FIGS. 1 to 5, the control block diagram of FIG. 6, and the flowcharts of FIGS.

[Embodiment 1]
First, the binding operation of the sheet processing apparatus 2 will be outlined. The sheet processing apparatus 2 stacks the number of sheets necessary for one sheet bundle on the sheet positioning member 23 and performs width alignment based on the processing S100 in FIG. 7 to the processing S210 in FIG. During this time, the CPU 150 determines whether or not the front and back staplers 111a and 111b have a binding needle in step S142. When both the staplers 111a and 111b have binding needles, the CPU 150 operates the front stapler 111a based on the processing S251 to the processing S253, and after several milliseconds, the CPU 150 performs the back stapler based on the processing S254 to the processing 256. 111b is activated. The time difference of several milliseconds is provided for the operation of both the staplers 111a and 111b. If the staplers 111a and 111b are operated at the same time, the power consumption is excessively concentrated and the wrinkles generated in the sheet bundle when binding is eliminated. This is because it is impossible. Of course, both staplers 111a and 111b may be operated simultaneously.

  If the CPU 150 determines in step S142 that only one stapler 111a (or 111b) has a binding needle, the CPU 150 determines the binding needle based on one of the processing S251 to the processing S253 and the processing S254 to the processing 256. Have a stapler perform the binding operation. Thereafter, the sheet processing apparatus 2 performs a process of bending the bound sheet bundle based on the processes S217 to S232 in FIG.

  The sheet processing apparatus 2 repeats the operations from the processing S100 shown in FIG. 7 to the processing S232 shown in FIG. 10 until there is no sheet bundle to be bound. However, when the sheet bundle of the same job is continuously bound, when the binding needle amount (number) of one stapler becomes a predetermined amount (number) or less, the CPU 150 stops the binding operation of the stapler, and the binding needle is The stapler's binding operation that is not less than the predetermined amount is continued. Then, the CPU 150 also stops the binding operation when the stapler that continues the binding operation becomes less than a predetermined amount.

  Accordingly, when the sheet processing apparatus 2 continuously binds a plurality of sheet bundles of the same job, the sheet processing apparatus 2 first binds at a plurality of places and finally binds at one place.

  Note that the stapler is stopped when the binding needle becomes a predetermined amount or less. This is because the stapler amount is easily detected, and the predetermined amount may be zero. That is, the sheet processing apparatus 2 continues the binding operation by the stapler in which the binding needle exists even if at least one staple of the staples is lost, and until the staple of the stapler is used up. A binding operation may be performed.

  Next, the binding operation of the sheet processing apparatus 2 will be described in detail.

  The CPU 150 of the sheet processing apparatus 2 receives the sheet information of the first sheet (first sheet) of the job from the image forming control unit 231 of the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 through the communication unit 231a shown in FIG. 6 (S100). . The sheet information is information transmitted from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 for each sheet, and includes a sheet size code, a sheet type, post-processing designation, a job start sheet (first sheet), and end sheet (end sheet). Information on the final paper).

  The sheet processing apparatus 2 determines whether the sheet carried in from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 is a sheet processed in the bookbinding mode based on the previously received sheet information (S101). When not in the bookbinding mode (NO in S101), the inlet solenoid 3d shown in FIG. 2 remains OFF, and the flapper 3 guides the sheet to the conveyance guide 4 and the stacker tray 7 shown in FIG. 1 (S130). The conveyed sheets are stacked (S130).

  If it is in the bookbinding mode (YES in S101), the CPU 150 checks the staple staple remaining amount of the front stapler 111a provided in the sheet processing apparatus 2 with the front stapler needle absence sensor 212 (S140). Further, the remaining amount of binding needles of the back stapler 111b is also confirmed by the back stapler needle absence sensor 215 (S141). Then, the CPU 150 checks whether or not the remaining amount of staples in the front stapler 111a and the back stapler 111b is sufficient (S142).

  When both the front stapler 111a and the back stapler 111b do not satisfy the binding staple remaining amount (NO in S142), the sheet processing apparatus 2 transmits information that prompts the copying machine 1 to replenish the needle through the communication unit 231a (S143). . When the copier 1 receives the information for prompting the needle replenishment, the copier 1 displays on the display unit 40 of the copier 1 shown in FIG.

  If the CPU 150 determines that either or both of the front stapler 111a and the rear stapler 111b can be used (YES in S142), the CPU 150 informs the image forming control unit 231 that the binding process can be performed. Then, the sheet processing apparatus 2 reports that the sheet is carried into the sheet processing apparatus 2 from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 from the image forming control unit 231 by the communication unit 231a (YES in S102).

  When notified that a sheet is carried into the sheet processing apparatus 2 (YES in S102), the CPU 150 turns on the inlet solenoid 3d shown in FIG. 2 (S103) and switches the flapper 3 to the bookbinding mode. That is, the upstream end of the flapper 3 is directed upward. Further, the CPU 150 causes the conveyance motor 51 shown in FIG. 2 to rotate forward in order to convey the sheet carried from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 to the sheet positioning member 23 shown in FIG. 1 (S104).

  In order to convey the sheet to the sheet positioning member 23 in the bookbinding mode, the CPU 150 rotates the width adjusting motor 24d shown in FIG. 3 in the forward direction, and the width adjusting members 24a and 24b waiting at the home position (HP). Are moved in a direction to approach each other (S105).

  When the CPU 150 moves the width adjusting members 24a and 24b to a position slightly wider than the sheet width obtained from the previously received sheet information (S106), the CPU 150 stops the width adjusting motor 24d (S107). Specifically, the interval between the width adjusting members 24a and 24b at this time is set to be, for example, approximately 10 mm wider than the width size of the sheet.

  Next, the CPU 150 rotates the sheet positioning motor 61 shown in FIG. 3 in the forward direction in order to move the sheet positioning member 23 waiting at the home position (HP) (S108). The CPU 150 continues the normal rotation of the sheet positioning motor 61 until the sheet positioning member 23 rises to a position half the sheet length downstream from the staple point 19a of the front and back staplers 111a and 111b shown in FIG. (S109). The CPU 150 turns off the sheet positioning motor 61 when the sheet positioning member 23 rises to a position half the sheet length (S110).

  At the same time, the CPU 150 rotates the roller guide motor 205 shown in FIG. 1 to prevent the sheet conveyed to the pair of folding rollers 26 and 27 from colliding with the pair of folding rollers 26 and 27. Is moved upward (S111). The roller guide motor 205 continues to rotate until the roller guide 201 moves from the home position to a predetermined position (S112) and stops (S113).

  By the operation of each unit described above, the sheet processing apparatus 2 enters a bookbinding mode standby state and waits for a sheet to be carried from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1.

  A sheet that has passed through the flapper 3 shown in FIG. 1 and is carried into the sheet processing apparatus 2 from the apparatus main body 10 of the copying machine 1 is conveyed downstream by the conveyance roller 13 to turn on the conveyance path sensor 83 ( S114).

  After the conveyance path sensor 83 is turned from ON to OFF (S115), the CPU 150 adjusts the width so that the sheet is aligned after t1 seconds after the time until the leading end (lower end) of the sheet hits the sheet positioning member 23. A timer is set (S200). The time until hitting is a time corresponding to the sheet length according to the sheet information obtained in step S100.

  The CPU 150 waits for the width adjusting timer to expire (S201), and when the time expires, the CPU 150 clears the width aligning timer (S202) and rotates the width aligning motor 24d shown in FIG. 3 in order to perform sheet width alignment. (S203). The CPU 150 continues the forward rotation of the width adjusting motor 24d until the interval between the width adjusting members 24a and 24b becomes slightly narrower than the width size of the sheet (S204). At this time, the interval between the width adjusting members 24a and 24b is set to be, for example, about 2 mm narrower than the sheet width size.

  When the interval between the width adjusting members 24a and 24b becomes slightly smaller than the width size of the sheet, the CPU 150 stops the width adjusting motor 24d (S205). Then, the CPU 150 reverses the width adjusting motor 24d to separate the width adjusting members 24a and 24b from the sheet (S206), and when the interval between the width adjusting members 24a and 24b becomes (sheet width size + about 10 mm), the width is increased. The moving motor 24d is stopped (S207, S208).

  The CPU 150 checks whether or not the sheet conveyed to the sheet positioning member 23 is the final sheet of the job based on the sheet information obtained in the process S100, and returns to S114 if it is not the final sheet. Then, the CPU 150 repeats the processes from the process S114 to the process S209 up to the final sheet (S209). If it is the last sheet, the CPU 150 stops the conveyance motor 51 (S210).

  Next, the CPU 150 determines whether or not the front stapler 111a can perform the binding operation (S251).

  However, since the CPU 150 determines in step S142 that one of the two staplers can be used, the CPU 150 determines that the staple amount of the front stapler 111a is small (NO in S251). Instead of performing S251, the process may proceed to S254. Process S254 is a process of operating the back stapler 111b.

  If the CPU 150 determines in step S142 that the front stapler 111a is operable (YES in S251), the CPU 150 rotates the front stapler motor 210 shown in FIG. 3 (S211).

  The front stapler 111a is fixed to the support plate 99 shown in FIG. 3, and cannot move in the sheet width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3, front-back direction in FIG. 1). For this reason, the front stapler 111a binds the sheet bundle in a fixed state. The end of the binding operation of the front stapler 111a is detected by the front stapler home position (HP) sensor 211 shown in FIG. 6 (S212). When the binding operation of the front stapler 111a is completed, the CPU 150 stops the front stapler motor 210 (S213).

  Then, the CPU 150 performs the remaining needle detection by the front stapler needle absence sensor 212 shown in FIG. 3 and determines whether or not the remaining needle amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (S252). When the CPU 150 determines that the remaining needle amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the CPU 150 stores in the RAM 153 that the binding operation is prohibited because the remaining staple amount of the front stapler 111a has decreased (S253). However, at this time, if the CPU 150 receives the sheet information that the sheets of the same job are continuously sent (S100), the CPU 150 ignores the prohibition and sends it to the front stapler 111a. A binding operation for the next sheet bundle may be performed.

  Next, when the binding operation of the front stapler 111a is prohibited, the CPU 150 determines whether or not the back stapler 111b can perform the binding operation (S254).

  Further, the CPU 150 has already determined whether or not the front and back staplers can be used in the process S142. If the CPU 150 determines that both staplers can be used, the CPU 150 continues to the process S252 and continues to the back stapler 111b. Is started (YES in S254). The CPU 150 also starts the binding operation by the back stapler 111b even when it is determined in step S142 that only the back stapler 111b can be used (YES in S254). The CPU 150 rotates the back stapler motor 213 shown in FIG. 3 (S214).

  The back stapler 111b is fixed to the support plate 99 in FIG. 3, and cannot move in the width direction of the sheet (the left-right direction in FIG. 3, the front and back direction in FIG. 1). For this reason, the back stapler 111b binds the sheet bundle in a fixed state. The end of the binding operation of the back stapler 111b is detected by the back stapler home position (HP) sensor 214 shown in FIG. 6 (S215). When the binding operation of the back stapler 111b is completed, the CPU 150 stops the back stapler motor 213 (S216).

  Then, the CPU 150 performs remaining needle detection by the back stapler needle absence sensor 215 shown in FIG. 6 and determines whether or not the remaining needle amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (S255). When the CPU 150 determines that the remaining needle amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the CPU 150 stores in the RAM 153 that the binding operation is prohibited because the remaining needle amount of the back stapler 111b has decreased (S256). However, at this time, if the CPU 150 receives the sheet information that the sheets of the same job are continuously sent (S100), the CPU 150 ignores the prohibition and sends it to the back stapler 111b. A binding operation for the next sheet bundle may be performed.

  Therefore, there are three processes in the sheet bundle binding process.

  The first process is illustrated from the processes S251, S211, S212, S213, and S252 (including the process S253), the processes 254, S214, S215, S216, and the process S255 (including the process S256). This is a process for proceeding to step S217. In the case of the first processing, the front side and the back side of the sheet bundle are bound by the front stapler 111a and the back stapler 111b.

  In the case of the second process, while the first process is being repeated, the process S251, S211, S212, S213, S252 (including the case where the process goes through S253) and the process S254 are directly transferred to the process S217 of FIG. There is processing. In the case of the second processing, the sheet bundle is bound only on the front side by the front stapler.

  In the case of the third process, while the first process is being repeated, the staple of the front stapler becomes a predetermined amount or less (NO in S252), and the process directly proceeds from process S251 to process S254, and processes 254, S214. , S215, S216, S255, and the process proceeds to the process S217 in FIG. In the case of the second processing, the sheet bundle is bound only on the back side by the back stapler 111b.

  Next, the CPU 150 reversely rotates the roller guide motor 205 in order to move the roller guide 201 shown in FIG. 5 to the home position in preparation for the folding operation (S217). Then, when the roller guide 201 returns to the home position (YES in S218), the CPU 150 stops the reverse rotation of the roller guide motor 205 (S219). Thereafter, the CPU 150 reverses the sheet positioning motor 61 shown in FIG. 3 (S220) and lowers the sheet positioning member 23. The CPU 150 stops the lowering of the sheet positioning member 23 at a position where the bound portion of the sheet bundle can be changed from the staple point 19a to a position facing the protruding plate 25a (S220, S221, S222).

  The CPU 150 drives the conveyance motor 51 again to convey the sheet bundle until the sheet bundle strikes the sheet positioning member 23 (S223, S224). When the sheet leading edge detection sensor 33 detects that the leading end (lower end) of the sheet bundle has hit the sheet positioning member 23, the CPU 150 stops the conveyance motor 51 (S225).

  Next, the CPU 150 turns on the ejecting plate clutch 74a shown in FIG. 4 (S226), and rotates the folding motor 64 (S227). Then, the protrusion plate 25a starts to protrude and pushes the sheet bundle into the nip between the pair of folding rollers 26 and 27. The ejection plate clutch 74a continues to be turned on until the ejection plate 25a reciprocates once and is detected by the ejection plate home position sensor 82 (S228, S229). When the trailing edge of the sheet bundle is detected by the paper discharge sensor 29 (S230), the CPU 150 stops the folding motor 64 (S231).

  Therefore, the sheet processing apparatus 2 can bind and fold one sheet bundle to form a booklet and discharge it to the discharge tray 32. If there is a sheet bundle to be bound and bent next, the sheet processing apparatus 2 returns to the process S100 and repeats the same processing operation until there is no sheet bundle.

(Embodiment 2)
As shown in FIG. 11, the processes S301 and S302 may be added between the processes S252, S253, and S254 in FIG. 9, and the processes S303 and S304 may be added between the processes S216, S256, and S217.

  In this case, if the CPU 150 determines in step S252 that the needle remaining amount has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount (NO in S252), the CPU 150 uses up all the remaining needles in the front stapler 111a. For this reason, the remaining needle counter 232a in the ROM 152 stores a value of a predetermined amount (number) of remaining needles in advance. The remaining needle counter 233a of the RAM 153 stores the amount (number) of needles filled in the front stapler 111a. When the needle is used, the amount (number) of needles of the remaining needle counter 233a of the RAM 153 is subtracted. The subtracted value is stored in the RAM 153 and used for the next calculation of the remaining needle counter 233 (S301).

  Then, the CPU 150 determines the value of the remaining needle counter 233a (S302), and if not subtracted until the remaining needle counter 233a becomes zero, performs the processing from step S254, and the remaining needle counter 233a becomes zero. If so, the process after process S253 is performed.

  Next, when the CPU 150 determines in the process S255 that the remaining amount of the needle has become a predetermined amount or less (NO in S255), the CPU 150 uses up the remaining needles in the back stapler 111b without leaving any excess. Therefore, the remaining needle counter 232b in the ROM 152 stores a predetermined amount (number) of remaining needles in advance. The remaining needle counter 233b of the RAM 153 stores the amount (number) of needles filled in the back stapler 111b. When the needle is used, the amount (number) of needles of the remaining needle counter 233b in the RAM 153 is subtracted. The subtracted value is stored in the RAM 153 and used for the next calculation of the remaining needle counter 233 (S303).

  Then, the CPU 150 determines the value of the remaining needle counter 233b (S304). If the value is not subtracted until the remaining needle counter 233b becomes zero, the CPU 150 performs processing from step S217 onward, and the remaining needle counter 233b becomes zero. If so, the processing after step S256 is performed.

  The remaining needle counters 232a and 233a are counters for the front stapler 111a, and the remaining needle counters 232b and 233b are counters for the back stapler 111b.

(Embodiment 3)
Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the processing S252 and S255 in FIG. 9 may be replaced with processing S305 and S306. In this process, whether or not the binding operation is possible is also determined in step S142 of FIG.

  If the CPU 150 determines that both the front stapler 111a and the back stapler 111b cannot perform the binding operation due to the staple jam or the like, the CPU 150 prompts the confirmation of the stapler unit in the processing after step S143 in FIG. The processing is the same up to processing S213 in FIG. 9, and after the operation of the front stapler motor 210 is finished, the staple jam state of the front stapler motor 210 is judged (S305) (see FIG. 12), and the staple jam must have occurred. For example, the processing shifts to processing after processing S254 described in FIG. Further, if a needle jam has occurred, the process proceeds to the processing after step S253 described in FIG.

  Next, the processing is the same up to the processing S216 described in FIG. 9, and after the operation of the back stapler motor 213 is completed, the needle jam state of the back stapler motor 213 is determined (S306) (see FIG. 12), and the needle jam occurs. If not, the process proceeds to S217 and subsequent steps described in FIG. If a needle jam has occurred, the process proceeds to S256 and subsequent steps described in FIG.

  That is, in the processing shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 150 determines that the binding needle is clogged and an overload is applied to the clogging detection means, for example, the front and back stapler motors 210 and 213, and stops the stapler clogged with the binding needle. It is like that. Then, the binding process is continued with the stapler in which the binding needle is not clogged. Therefore, the sheet processing apparatus is prevented from being damaged, and the sheet bundle binding operation can be continued to increase the operation efficiency.

  As described above, replenishment of the binding needles in the conventional sheet processing apparatus is performed by interrupting a reserved job when the remaining amount of the needles is less than a predetermined amount and the needle needs to be replaced. For this reason, the conventional sheet processing apparatus stops even a job reserved after a staple job (for example, a non-sort job) and cannot resume it until the replenishment of the needles is completed. I was waiting for hours.

  On the other hand, the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention performs the binding process only with a stapler capable of performing the binding process when binding a bundle of sheets at a plurality of locations. I won't let you. Instead, since the binding operation is performed with another stapler that does not yet require needle replenishment, it is possible to process a large number of reservation jobs without interrupting the reservation job. Therefore, the number of times of replenishment of the binding needle is reduced, and the operation efficiency of the sheet processing apparatus can be improved.

  That is, in the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, when continuously binding a bundle of sheets of the same job, the binding needles of at least one stapler among a plurality of fixedly disposed staplers have a predetermined amount (number). In addition, it is possible to bind only the portion of the sheet bundle corresponding to the stapler with the stapler in which the binding needle is not a predetermined amount.

  Further, the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, when continuously binding a bundle of sheets of the same job, even if at least one staple of the staples arranged in a fixed manner is lost, the stapler with the binding needle is present. Thus, only the portion of the sheet bundle corresponding to the stapler can be bound.

  The sheet processing apparatus of the present invention can bind a larger number of sheet bundles than before, can reduce the number of times the staple needle is replenished, and can improve the binding operation efficiency.

  In the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, since the stapler is fixedly disposed, the structure can be simplified.

It is sectional drawing along the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a driving unit of a conveyance system in the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a view showing a width adjusting portion and a sheet positioning member of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a view of FIG. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a protrusion unit unit and a folding roller unit in the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure of the roller guide in the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining operations in the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart following FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart following FIG. 8. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. 9. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view along a sheet conveying direction of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Copying machine (image forming device)
2 Sheet processing apparatus 10 Apparatus main body 18a Front, back stapler rotating shaft 19 Anvil 19a Staple point 23 Sheet positioning member (sheet stacking means)
25 Protruding unit 40 Display unit 111a Front stapler (binding means)
111b Back stapler (binding means)
150 CPU (control means) of sheet processing apparatus
152 Read only memory (ROM)
153 RAM
210 Front stapler motor (clogging detection means)
212 Front stapler needleless sensor (remaining needle detection means)
213 Back stapler motor (clogging detection means)
231 Image formation control unit 215 Back stapler no needle sensor (remaining needle detection means)
232a, 232b Remaining needle counter (remaining needle detection means)
233a, 233b Remaining needle counter (remaining needle detection means)
902 Image forming unit 904 Fixing device 909 Sheet supply unit 914 Photosensitive drum

Claims (5)

In a sheet processing apparatus for binding a plurality of positions of a sheet bundle stacked on a sheet stacking unit,
A plurality of binding means fixedly arranged corresponding to the plurality of locations, and binding the sheet bundle with a binding needle;
Control means for continuing the binding operation by the binding means in which the binding needle is present even if the binding needle of at least one binding means out of the plurality of binding means is eliminated;
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: In a sheet processing apparatus for binding a plurality of positions of a sheet bundle stacked on a sheet stacking unit,
A plurality of binding means fixedly arranged corresponding to the plurality of locations, and binding the sheet bundle with a binding needle;
A remaining needle detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the binding needle stored in the binding means;
Control means for causing the plurality of binding means to perform a binding operation and stopping the binding operation of the binding means detected by the remaining needle detection means that the remaining amount of the binding needle has become a predetermined amount or less. ,
The control unit causes the binding unit to continue the binding operation even when the remaining amount of the binding needle is equal to or less than a predetermined amount when the binding unit continuously binds the sheet bundle of the same job.
A sheet processing apparatus. In a sheet processing apparatus for binding a plurality of positions of a sheet bundle stacked on a sheet stacking unit,
A plurality of binding means fixedly arranged corresponding to the plurality of locations, and binding the sheet bundle with a binding needle;
A remaining needle detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the binding needle stored in the binding means;
Control means for causing the plurality of binding means to perform a binding operation and stopping the binding operation of the binding means detected by the remaining needle detection means that the binding needle is lost,
The control unit continues the binding operation to a binding unit that has not been detected by the remaining needle detection unit that the binding needle has been lost when the binding unit continuously binds the sheet bundle of the same job.
A sheet processing apparatus. Each binding means includes clogging detection means for detecting that the binding needles stored in the binding means are clogged,
The control means stops the binding operation of the binding means detected by the clogging detection means that the binding needle is clogged;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is a sheet processing apparatus. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
A sheet processing apparatus that binds and binds the sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images